Tennis division in Bruchhausen-Vilsen 50 years old

Br.-Vilsen – The location is unique – and so is the story behind the four places in the idyllic and sheltered green: Long before Steffi Graf and Boris Becker made the white sport really popular in Germany, Bruchhausen-Vilsen in Wiehe was born in 1971 the tennis division in the gymnastics club (TV) Bruchhausen-Vilsen.

It is celebrating its 50th anniversary on the weekend: From 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m., the active open spaces for those interested on Sunday. The 3G rule applies. Christoph Semrau and Jens Kirchheck then play against the best duo in the tennis division in the show doubles.

In order to honor the special anniversary perfectly, Ernst Garlisch has worked up the history of the division in an exemplary manner in a chronicle. Garlisch knows that Hajo Ahmels made great contributions to the establishment of the company. “Maybe something could be done here”, was Ahmels’ thought at the time when he discovered a piece of forest not far from the outdoor pool in 1971 that was suitable for a tennis court. Successful land negotiations with the owner Lieselotte Lobitz followed – and ultimately the establishment of the division with a total of seven founding members and initially the creation of the original places two and three in Wiehe.

The facility was finally inaugurated in 1973. In 1976, thanks to Herbert Ehlers’ commitment, a floodlight was created so that you could still play after dark. The number of tennis players grew steadily. The division has 230 members at the top. There are currently around 160 women, men, children and young people swinging their clubs on the four courts. “We currently have 48 children and young people in training,” says Robert Ehrenbruch, who is part of the division’s board of directors, happily. With Christoph Semrau you have an accomplished trainer who is well received by the youngsters. “Because training is the be-all and end-all,” says Ehrenbruch.

“You can start playing tennis at pre-school age,” adds the trainer. There are no upper limits – people over 80 are still active. “We want to change our age structure and encourage those who are interested to try things out,” says Robert Ehrenbruch. Because the tennis division is a particularly active and sociable one, he reports.

It was only seven years ago that she built fourth place. The biggest project in the past, besides the creation of the facility, was the construction of the clubhouse. “It was in Asendorf and served as an unwinding house in front of the church,” says chronicler Ernst Garlisch. In 1988 the half-timbered structure found a new home in Bruchhausen-Vilsen. “Herbert Ehlers has done a great job here. He put a lot of his own work into it and always knew the right people, ”says Ernst Garlisch about the 79-year-old who is still actively involved in tennis.

Why is white sport so attractive? The divisional board has many answers to this question. “You’re always out in the fresh air, you can play with your partner or family and you don’t need a whole team,” says Robert Ehrenbruch. “You are more flexible in terms of time and you can develop ambition,” says board colleague Dörte Schröder. “In addition, tennis is an individual sport in which you don’t have to rely on others and in which you fight for yourself,” says coach Christoph Semrau. There are currently one women’s and five men’s and several youth teams in the league game.

Groundsman Heinz Wiegmann is often on duty to ensure that the pitches are always playable. “I’m here every few days. That’s my hobby for retirees, ”he smiles. And receives a lot of praise from the board for his work: “Heinz is an ideal person,” says Robert Ehrenbruch. The system is a lot of work, but also offers sufficient capacity for gaming operations.

Anyone who, regardless of their age, wants to get on board and get to know the sport of tennis can use the anniversary event for this – and maybe soon hit their first balls over the net as a trial member.

From Regine Suling-willing